Crate.



G'. EL R-ICHMON D.

" CRATE.' A PPLIGATION FILED 00T..10, 1908.

938,705'. Patented Nov. v2, 1909.

George E.`Rc\vruond Axuntw. lA uhmm oommmlmmumtns. WASJINOYMI. l1 n o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. RICHMOND, t citizen of the United States, residing at ouston, in the county of Harris and State f Texas, have invented certain new and useul Improvements in Crates, of which the 'ollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful mprovements in crates and more particuarly t that class of crates used in the shipnent of bananas.

The object of the invention is to produce a light, strong, and durable crate which iay be used continuously for a great length of time and one which will allow the least ossible damage to befall the bananas in shipment.

Finally the object of the invention is to produce a device of the character described that will be strong, durable and eliicient and comparatively inexpensive to produce and one in which the several parts will be least likely to get out of working order.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the invention is more fully explained, the invention has relation to certain novel features of construction and operation, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the frame of my crate. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the lining for Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bottom of the crate.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 1 designates the top band of the material used in making my crate which is, preferably, angle iron. This band is riveted or bolted at 2 and then continues in a spiral form as shown at 3 until the length of the crate is reached. Then the desired length is attained another band 4 is formed similar to 1.

Bands 1 and 4 and spiral 3, are preferably formed of one piece of material. A series of braces 5 are securely attached to the bands 1 and 4 and spiral 8. These may extend below band 4 and then be bent inwardly forming flanges 6 for a support for a wooden or other suitable bottom.

It is desired to leave a hole 7 in the bottom to receive the end of the banana stalk.

Specification of Letters Patent.

FUNrrnD srkras errar Fries.

CRATE.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

Application filed October 10, 1908. Serial No. 457,062.

The stalk will thus be held in position thereby forming a brace for the bunch of bananas. A lining 8 is first secured, as by tacking, to the bottom 9 and then both are lowered into the frame of the crate.

The operat-ion of my device is as follows: Take the bottom of the crate and secure to the periphery thereof any suitable material such as corrugated pasteboard, heavy paper or cloth of a length greater than the length of the crate and lower this in the crate. Secure the bottom to the crate by means of bolts 10 passing through holes in flanges 6 and the said bottom. Then place the bunch i of bananas inside of this lining and gather the upper end of said lining together and tie it securely.

I am aware that other forms of crates are used but they are expensive and when used a few times are of no further value.

While I have shown this particular design and explained this specific form it is to be understood that the invention is in no wise to be limited thereby but may be varied so long as the principle is not departed from.

What I claim isz- 1. A crate composed of top and bottom bands connected by a plurality of braces rigidly secured thereto, flanges integral with the bottom end of said braces and extending inwardly, a bottom adapted to rest on said flanges, said bottom being provided with a centrally located recess for receiving one end of the support of the contents of said crate, openings in said flanges for receiving bolts designed to secure said bottom to said flanges, a lining for said crate adapted to be fastened to said bottom, a metallic strip coiled, at regular intervals, around said braces and made integral with said top and bottom bands, substantially as described.

2. In a crate as described, the combination with top and bottom bands, of an intermediate helical strip connecting said bands and integral therewith, a plurality of 'braces extending the full length of said crate and being rigidly fastened to said bands and said intermediate helical strip for strengthening said crate, said braces having inwardly extending flanges at the lower ends thereof, said flanges being lprovided with holes for receiving bolts, a bottom adapted to rest on said lianges, a lining for said crate adapted to be fastened to said bottom, bolts eXtend- In testimony whereof I, have signed my ing from the said bottom through the holes name to this specification in the presence in said flanges for securing' the bottom to of two subscribing' Witnesses. y

said flanges, a centrally located recess in said GEORGE E. RICHMOND. bottom for holding' the contents of said crate lVitnesses:

.against lateral movement, all substantially WM. A. CATHEY,

as set forth. W. A. SHRACKENGAUST. 

